The return of the jackal

Growing up between the rocks and currents of the treacherous Morlaix Bay, Armel le Cléac’h owes his strange nickname to his extraordinary determination. On the water, « the jackal » never gives anything away. Attentive to every detail, refusing to give an inch. His inspiration and ocean racing talent come in addition to a strong personality, to the extent that it is almost impossible for his opponents to influence the choices he sticks with right up until the end. It is this strength that gave him victory for example in the AG2R transatlantic race in 2004 with Nicolas Troussel, his long-time friend.

This rough diamond, who began to sail at the age of nine created a shock at the beginning of the decade when he made a roaring entry into the ever so demanding Figaro class: second in the Solitaire in 2000 and the winner in 2003 just a few seconds ahead of … Alain Gautier. However, it was the Vendée Globe that was in the back of Armel Le Cléac’h’s mind. Although a newcomer to round the world racing, Armel was not in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe just to say he had been there. He had a truly impressive race showing remarkable consistency and ending up in second place with only Michel Desjoyeaux ahead of him. Since then he has entered the elite group of skippers, who have won the Solitaire du Figaro twice and Armel also finished second in the 2010 Route du Rhum, and third in the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre, his first race aboard the 60-foot IMOCA monohull, Banque Populaire, before coming second in the Transat BToB. He has only one goal now for his second Vendée Globe and that is to do better than in 2008, which of course means winning the race. Looking at the successes he has already had, and at his talent and determination, he certainly looks capable of achieving that.

Press contact :
Charline Hamonic – port. +33(0)6 58 58 79 65 - presse@milletunevagues.com